Changbai Mountain West Slope
长白山西景区
The west slope climbs 1,442 steps to the edge of Heaven Lake’s crater. Its views are wider than those from the north slope, and it also offers the Border Marker No. 5, the Jinjiang Grand Canyon and the Alpine Garden.
The Changbai Mountain West Scenic Area lies on the Fusong County side, in Songjiang Town. Unlike the north slope’s shuttle buses, the west slope uses eco-buses to reach a car park at about 2,300 metres. From there, climb 1,442 steps (about 1.5 km; 1.5 to 2 hours round trip) to the crater rim on the western side of Heaven Lake. The lookout is at about 2,470 metres. The lake lies below in a complete oval, with wider views than the north slope and the best spot for panoramic lake photos. Next to the lookout stands Border Marker No. 5 between China and North Korea, where visitors can take photos at the dividing line. Other west-slope sights include the Jinjiang Grand Canyon, where volcanic ash has been cut by water into a gorge with unusual basalt columns on both sides, explored along a wooden boardwalk in about 40 minutes. The Alpine Garden is a tundra of wildflowers, including alpine azaleas and golden lotus, which bloom in July and August. The Ladder River is a crevice only one or two metres wide but dozens of metres deep. Wangchi Pool is also here. Tickets are about RMB 105, and the eco-bus costs about RMB 85, booked through the official Changbai Mountain platform. The west slope is less crowded than the north, so it is calmer even in peak season. Tips: start from Songjiang Town or the Wanda Resort (about 40 minutes’ drive) early in the morning. Climb to Heaven Lake first, when there are fewer clouds, then visit the Jinjiang Grand Canyon and the Alpine Garden on the way down. The full trip takes about 5 to 6 hours. Those with average fitness can rent a sedan chair beside the steps for a fee. Getting there: about 2 hours’ drive from Erdaobaihe, or about 30 minutes from Changbai Mountain Airport. Notes: the climb is tiring at high altitude, so go slowly, rest often and know your limits. The summit is windy and cold, so bring warm clothing. Do not cross the border line at the marker.
Opening hours
About 07:00–16:00 (adjusted by season and weather)
Nearby sights
- Changbai Mountain Heaven Lake (North Slope)
- Changbai Waterfall
- Julong Hot Springs
- Heifengkou Pass
- Xiaotianchi (Changbai Lake)
- Lüyuantan (Green Abyss Pool)
- Tizi River
- Underground Forest